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PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL—Palm Beach County Health Department is continuing its surveillance and monitoring of the H1N1 Swine flu virus throughout the summer. The World Health Organization has now elevated this virus to a level 6 and declared it a pandemic.

The latest information shows there have been 417 confirmed cases in Florida and no reported deaths. Palm Beach County has had 18 confirmed cases and today is adding its first probable cluster as 21 from a camping group of 41 became ill after arriving at their North Carolina destination. Nine of the sick returned to Palm Beach County Wednesday, and six more from the group are being treated in North Carolina and are expected to return with the remaining campers this weekend. The North Carolina Department of Health confirmed two of the six as H1N1 and with additional test results pending locally it is presumed all 21 became ill from the virus.

WHO’s decision to raise the pandemic alert level to Phase 6 is a reflection of the spread of the virus, not the severity of illness caused by the virus. It’s uncertain at this time how serious or severe this novel H1N1 pandemic will be in terms of how many people infected will develop serious complications or die from novel H1N1 infection. Experience with this virus so far is limited and influenza is unpredictable. However, because novel H1N1 is a new virus, many people may have little or no immunity against it, and illness may be more severe and widespread as a result. In addition, currently there is no vaccine to protect against novel H1N1 virus.

Health Department Director, Dr. Jean Malecki said, “We will continue to monitor the number of H1N1 and other flu cases in our county throughout the summer months.

Dr. Malecki recommends the following:

People with respiratory illness should stay home from work or school to avoid spreading infections, including influenza, to others in the community.

* Avoid close contact with people who are coughing or otherwise appear ill.
* Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
* Wash hands frequently to lessen the spread of respiratory illness.

If you think you have influenza, please call your health care provider or the health department at 840-4500 and discuss whether you need to be seen in their office, emergency department or stay home. Three websites are also updated regularly www.pbchd.com , www.cdc.gov, www.doh.state.fl.us locally information can be obtained by calling 211.

PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLThe Florida Department of Health Laboratory has now confirmed a total of six cases of H1N1 Influenza in Palm Beach County. The latest three confirmations were a 36 year-old female, 7 year-old female and 6 year old female. All were isolated incidents diagnosed in early May and have since recovered by staying home during their illness and following the course of treatment.

In an effort to expedite the confirmation process all four Department of Health laboratories have received testing supplies from the Centers for Disease Control and now can test samples to confirm H1N1 Swine Flu. This expansion streamlines the process and probable cases will no longer be listed awaiting CDC confirmation.

Florida has 101 confirmed cases from areas throughout the state.

CDC no longer recommends that communities with a laboratory confirmed case of influenza A H1N1 consider adopting school dismissal or childcare closure measures.

A public health emergency has been declared by the State Surgeon General.

Flu information can be obtained in Spanish and English at 1-800-775-8039.

Health Department Director, Dr. Jean Malecki said, We continue to monitor the number of H1N1 and other flu cases in our county.

Dr. Malecki recommends the following:

People with respiratory illness should stay home from work or school to avoid
spreading infections, including influenza, to others in the community.

§ Avoid close contact with people who are coughing or otherwise appear ill.

§ Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

§ Wash hands frequently to lessen the spread of respiratory illness.

If you think you have influenza, please call your health care provider or the health department at 840-4500 and discuss whether you need to be seen in their office, emergency department or stay home. Three websites are also updated regularly www.pbchd.com , www.cdc.gov, www.doh.state.fl.us locally information can be obtained by calling 211.

PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL — The Florida Department of Health Laboratory confirmed two cases of H1N1 Influenza in Palm Beach County today. The probable case in the 75 year old male was confirmed and the second is in an 18 year old male who was symptomatic and treated earlier this month.
In an effort to expedite the confirmation process all four Department of Health laboratories have received testing supplies from the Centers for Disease Control and now can test samples to confirm H1N1 Swine Flu. This expansion streamlines the process and probable cases will no longer be listed awaiting CDC confirmation.

Florida has 60 confirmed cases in the following counties: one in Osceola, Alachua, Indian River, Marion, Clay, Collier, Lake, Manatee, Flagler, Seminole, Okeechobee, and Duval, two in Orange, Brevard and Sarasota, 3 in Pinellas, 7 in Lee, 8 in Hillsborough, 2 in Palm Beach, and 11 in Dade and Broward each.

New confirmed cases are:

Broward: a 14 year-old female

Dade: a 10 year-old female

Palm Beach: a 75 year-old male and 18 year-old male.

We have 2 probables in the following county: Okaloosa

CDC no longer recommends that communities with a laboratory confirmed case of influenza A H1N1 consider adopting school dismissal or childcare closure measures.

A public health emergency has been declared by the State Surgeon General.

Flu information can be obtained in Spanish and English at 1-800-775-8039.

Health Department Director, Dr. Jean Malecki said, "The two confirmed cases have responded to treatment and are well." The Health Department acted immediately on the suspicion that these persons may have H1N1. The early detection and treatment has proven effective in these cases.

Dr. Jean Malecki recommends the following:

People with respiratory illness should stay home from work or school to avoid
spreading infections, including influenza, to others in the community.

§ Avoid close contact with people who are coughing or otherwise appear ill.

§ Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

§ Wash hands frequently to lessen the spread of respiratory illness.

People experiencing cough, fever and fatigue, possibly along with diarrhea and vomiting, should contact their physician.

If you think you have influenza, please call your health care provider or the health department at 840-4500 and discuss whether you need to be seen in their office, emergency department or stay home. Three websites are also updated regularly www.pbchd.com , www.cdc.gov, www.doh.state.fl.us locally information can be obtained by calling 211.

Gulf Stream Commissioners are looking for an alternate member of the Architectural Review and Planning Board. The alternate, a volunteer position, attends monthly meetings. You must be a Gulf Stream resident. If interested, call Town Hall at 561-276-5116.
--Margie Plunkett